Australian veg farm numbers decrease as costs rise

Australian vegetable farm profits are on the increase, but the number of farms has decreased.

According to an ABARES survey, the average vegetable farm is making more money and earning higher prices for its produce, but cash costs are continuing to rise across the board.

The vegetable industry’s peak body has also warned that many smaller growers are struggling to stay competitive in an increasingly consolidated industry.

The average farm cash income of a vegetable growing operation is estimated to have increased to around $254,100 as a result of increased vegetable production and higher prices.

"Large-scale farms have been mostly responsible for the increase in average farm income."

The ABARES report, which was a strategic levy investment using the Hort Innovation Vegetable Fund, indicated that the value of the Australian vegetable industry increased to around $3.6 billion in 2015-16, accounting for around 6% of the gross value of agricultural production.

The survey also indicated that at the same time total cash costs continued to rise, with average cash costs rising by 29% to an average of over $1 million per farm due to rises in 2 cost categories captured in the report.

According to AUSVEG, the vegetable industry’s peak industry body, the rise in the industry’s value and the overall increases in average farm incomes are positive signs for the future profitability of the industry, but the steep increase in costs poses a significant risk to many businesses, particularly smaller-sized farms.

AUSVEG chief executive officer James Whiteside the rising value of the industry and the increasing trend for Australian vegetable exports shows that our industry has a bright future as a supplier of high quality fresh vegetables to consumers in Australia and around the world.”

“Large-scale farms have been mostly responsible for the increase in average farm income, as they can benefit from increased efficiencies and economies of scale,” Mr Whiteside said.

“This has resulted in increased re-investment into these businesses, including in technological and operational improvements so that they can continue to innovate and develop their businesses to supply vegetables for local and international consumers.

“The increased production and demand for a wide variety of vegetables, particularly Asian vegetable varieties that were considered niche products not too long ago, shows growers are responding to Australians’ increasing appetite for a larger variety of fresh and value-added vegetables, which can demand a higher value at a retail level,” he said.

The number of vegetable growing farms has fallen 37% from 2006-07 to 2015-16, driven primarily by the decline of smaller growers, and the proportion of vegetable growers who recorded a negative farm business profit remained at a similar level to the 10 year average, with nearly 60% of vegetable growers recording a negative farm business profit in 2015-16.

“The costs of doing business, particularly for hired labour, seed, freight and fertiliser, have increased significantly over the last 12 months, so while larger businesses are able to increase production and cover these increases, smaller growers often struggle to be competitive, which is driving increased consolidation,” Mr Whiteside said.